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Newcastle spin out ESP Diagnostics Ltd. selected for Biomedical Catalyst Neurotech Accelerator Programme.
Newcastle University ‘spin out’ company ESP Diagnostics Ltd. has been selected to join Pioneer Group’s Biomedical Catalyst Neurotech Accelerator Programme.
5 September 2023
Newcastle University ‘spin out’ company ESP Diagnostics Ltd. has been selected to join Pioneer Group’s Biomedical Catalyst Neurotech Accelerator Programme.
The Biomedical Catalyst Neurotech Accelerator Programme, launched by Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator Programme, supports innovative neurotech companies in accelerating their development from lab to market adoption. Through the programme, small to medium businesses and entrepreneurs get the opportunity to benefit from tailored support and workshops to de-risk their technologies’ commercial and technical viability.
ESP Diagnostics Ltd (ESPDx) has developed a simple and accurate test for early-stage diagnosis and early pre-symptomatic detection of both dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson's disease. The test measures biomarkers in extracellular vesicles enabling early and accurate and diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders for patients, clinicians, healthcare providers, and drug developers.
Having spun out from Newcastle University, they now seek support from biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help develop disease-modifying therapies and ultimately to provide in vitro diagnostic tests that will provide early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease.
By being chosen as one of nine companies to join the Biomedical Catalyst Neurotech Accelerator Programme, they will gain access to an eight-week programme, led by Pioneer Group’s Venture Development Associate, Nelli Morgulchik. Participants will work one-on-one and attend weekly sessions to develop their idea into a minimum viable product with a clear route to market. ESPDx will also be introduced to esteemed figures from the life sciences industry, who can provide sound advice and guidance on investment, market adoption and scale-up as part of Pioneer Group’s Expert Network.
“Our partnership with Innovate UK illustrates Pioneer Group’s continued commitment to fostering commercial success in the life sciences innovation sector. We look forward to engaging with game-changing neurotech companies through the Accelerator Prog
Pioneer Group has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs and helped create more than 100 life sciences companies that have raised over £300 million in total investment, 35% of which have been founded by at least one female entrepreneur.
The programme is one of several accelerators delivered by Pioneer Group to ambitious life sciences companies at all stages of growth, using proven methods and tools to ensure lab innovations and research have the best chance of finding commercial success.
The selected neurotech cohort gathered for the first in-person session at Nottingham’s MediCity The attendee’s offered insight into the value of the programme and how, through the 8-week course, barriers to commercialization could be navigated, bringing the goal of making a telling impact on patients’ lives a significant step closer:
Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi, PhD, Director of Venture Development at Pioneer Group, said: “Our partnership with Innovate UK illustrates Pioneer Group’s continued commitment to fostering commercial success in the life sciences innovation sector. We look forward to engaging with game-changing neurotech companies through the Accelerator Programme and helping them develop breakthrough solutions to unmet clinical challenges.”
Chris Sawyer, Innovate UK’s Innovation Lead, Digital Health, added: “We are delighted to be able to support the Biomedical Catalyst Neurotech Accelerator and are excited by the quality, diversity and transformational potential of the businesses entering this phase of the accelerator. I look forward to engaging with the businesses and witnessing their progress over the forthcoming months.”
Press release adapted with thanks to Pioneer Group
